Our bi-monthly birthday celebration in August was lively with Dave Marty on banjo playing lots of familiar tunes. Dave is an inductee in the American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame, and when you hear him play, you know why! Thanks to Dave and to the gracious Nazareth House Auxiliary birthday committee volunteers who decorated beautifully and served a most delicious fresh fruit cake! You can hear Dave at this site:
http://www.americanbanjomuseum.com/blog/dave-marty
Daisy seems to have a green thumb. She has shared her talents with the other residents here at Nazareth House by creating a succulent bed among the Care Center vegetable garden. Her advice: shade from the sun when too hot, and enjoy watching the babies sprout from the mother plant!
Nazareth House was recognized by the Marin Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America for the proper display of the American Flag. Anna Nguyen, Executive Director, attended the MOA luncheon and accepted the award. Thank you to neighbor Bill Wickley for nominating us, and Donald Bibeault for presenting the award. It has been our pleasure to fly the colors for 55 years! 
Residents at Nazareth House can choose to participate in a variety of planned activities, can pursue solitary hobbies, or can enjoy a pick-up card game or afternoon chat in one of the House living rooms. A daily calendar of events is available at breakfast or on CCTV to help in planning the day. August’s special outing will be a trip to the Bay Model. There is something for everyone at Nazareth House.
…and the tomatoes too! The gardeners, under the direction of Sister Cecilia, have green thumbs for sure. Veggies can be found tucked away in various nooks around our lush campus courtyards. Residents enjoy pruning or admiring, as the spirit moves them.
The residents of Nazareth House toured the Mission San Rafael in July, and learned about its brief but impactful 17 year history. Special thanks to Annie and her children Megan and Daniel for their expert guide work and educational material.
A worrisome fact: the majority of fall injuries among older people occur inside the home. More than 40% of people hospitalized from hip fractures do not return home again to live independently.
As we get older we are more susceptible to falling because of several natural changes that occur with aging: decrease in vision, muscle weakness, slower balance reactions.
Be proactive: you can only prevent a fall before it happens! Four components of fall prevention are mentioned below.
*Regular exercise- for coordination, balance, strength, and flexibility
*Safe walking and movement habits- for example, use a professionally fitted ambulation aid, avoid reaching while leaning over, wear footwear with a tread.
*Medication changes- medication may contribute to lack of alertness or weakness; review often with your physician.
*Home environment modifications- install automatic nightlights, use cordless phones, and TOSS OUT THOSE THROW RUGS!
NOTE: This is an excerpt of a seminar held at Nazareth House by Kirsten Dumford, Physical Therapist, and Karen Smith, Occupational Therapist. The complete article can be emailed to you by requesting from lynettam@nazarethhousesr.com or Leave A Comment on this blog posting.
On Thursdays you will find our residents engaged in a drumming circle with Lior Tsarfaty, Bay Area musician. Rhythms, simple melodies and friendship fill one of the most well-loved hours of the week. http://www.villagesong.com. 
Marilee Rogers is truly a gift of beauty from heaven to our community.
In 2011 Marilee’s 100 year old neighbor moved into Nazareth House. As she spent time visiting, she grew fond of the residents and interested in sharing her talents and knowledge with them. A resident painting class and an art history lecture series were born. Marilee can teach a novice to paint a beautiful watercolor or encourage an artist to continue developing skills into her twilight years. Marilee has enriched the lives of many here at Nazareth House.
Watercolor painting came to Marilee later in life. She taught social studies, art history and basic design at the high school level for 32 years, never pursuing her personal interests until retirement in 2001. After several years of watercolor classes with Marty Meade at College of Marin, she began to study with a group of eight talented women under the guidance of Cara Brown, a well-recognized watercolor artist in the Bay Area. They are known as the 537 Magnolia Avenue Artists, and have had several group shows at the Marin Civic Center, the Marin County Fair, and the with the Marin Watercolor Society.
You c
an see Marilee’s website at www.watercolorsbymarilee.com and on this blog post. Our residents’ work can be found framed and gracing the walls at Nazareth House. Thank you Marilee!
Don Miller and Dan Keegan – Super Volunteers – were honored for their decades of service to Nazareth House by our Auxiliary. From driving residents to doctor appointments to musical entertainment to faithful mail delivery, Don and Dan do it all and are a integral part of the fabric of everyday life here at Nazareth House. Given in the name of a past dynamic volunteer, Kathy Baker, the award is well deserved! Thank you for your service!
